Kaizer Chiefs add to Free State Stars' woes

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Sep 18, 2018. 21:46

Kaizer Chiefs beat Free State Stars 2-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Goble Park on Tuesday night.

As a result, Amakhosi moved to third place on the league table, while Ea Lla Koto remained 15th on the standings.

The hosts threatened first through Yusuf Jappie, who was keen to impress on the night, 13 minutes into the game.

Jappie whipped a good cross into the Amakhosi box, but Judas Moseamedi failed to direct his header towards goal as the visitors survived a scare.

Amakhosi looked dangerous going forward down the left-hand side and Godfrey Walusimbi called Stars goalkeeper Badre Ali Sangare into action in the 14th minute.

The Uganda international's curling cross from the left-hand side was pushed out for a corner-kick by Sangare as the visitors looked to take the lead.

Chiefs did break the deadlock in the 25th minute following a quick move involving in-form attacker Khama Billiat and Venezuelan striker Gustavo Paez.

Billiat set-up Paez, who marked his return to the Chiefs starting line-up with a goal as he beat Sangare to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Ea Lla Koto tried to respond with a goal through Judas Moseamedi, but Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana made a world class tackle to stop the Stars striker just before the half-hour mark.

The hosts were left to rue that chance as Chiefs doubled their lead through Zulu, who beat Sangare with a left-footed shot to make it 2-0 to the visitors in the 34th minute.

Ea Lla Koto tried to press Amakhosi with the half-time break fast approaching, but they struggled to penetrate the visitors' defence which was led by debutant Mario Booysen.

The score was 2-0 to Chiefs at half-time following a lively first-half in Bethlehem.

The hosts introduced Relebogile Mokhuoane prior to the start of the second-half as Stars looked to pull one back.

However, Zimbabwean hardman Willard Katsande was working tirelessly in the middle of the park making sure that the Chiefs defence is protected.

Stars kept pushing and Goodman Dlamini burst into the Amakhosi box, before unleashing a shot which hit the side-netting eight minutes after the hour-mark.

Second-half substitute Eleazar Rodgers had a chance to shoot at Chiefs goal in the closing stages of the game, but the experienced striker placed his effort wide of the target.

Ultimately, Chiefs were able to contain Stars in the dying minutes of the game and they secured a 2-0 victory on the night.

FS Stars (0) 0
Chiefs (2) 2 (Paez 25', Zulu 34')

Stars: Sangare, Masehe, Mobbie, Tema, Keita (Mahamutsa 42'), Phungwayo, Makhaula, Gandze (Makhuoane 46'), Jappie, Dlamini, Moseamedi (Rodgers 60').

Chiefs: Khune, Walusimbi, Ngezana, Booysen, Moleko, Katsande (Andrianarimanana 89'), Maluleka, Ekstein, Zulu, Paez (Moon 70), Billiat (Mahlasela 81').